Vessel carrier

ABSTRACT

A vessel carrier comprising a base piece, having at least two holes for vessels to be placed in and a slot into which a base supporting piece is inserted. The base supporting piece includes a load bearing top handle on the upper part and a supporting construction on the lower part to support the base piece when the base piece and the base supporting piece are assembled. The vessels may include cups, glasses and other drink containers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vessel carrier, in particular a vessel carrier with a handle to typically carry, but not be limited to four drink containers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the beverage industry over the past 50 years, to vessel carriers have been designed and manufactured using a standard 4-hole, flat packed tray, which may include a shelf in the middle of the carrier for other drinks and food to be carried. These carriers are held with two hands that support the bottom of the carrier and limit the number of containers/vessels/cups that can be held and stably carried. A more recent alternative has been the creation of 4-hole carriers that resemble the traditional tray, but instead only consist of 4 holes for the drinks to be placed in, with a flat bottom that holds the drinks and again, needs to be carried with two hands and limits the number of beverages that can be transported at any one time.

The problems on carrying drinks include, firstly, the limits of carrying a substantial number of beverages at any one point, and the necessity for two hands to be used to transport beverages. Further, the delivery or pickup of a large number of drinks when purchasing and subsequently transporting is often difficult.

The object of this invention is to provide a vessel carrier to address the above shortcomings or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention comprises a vessel carrier having a base piece, at least two holes for vessels to be placed in and a slot into which a base supporting piece is inserted, the base supporting piece having a load bearing top handle on the upper part and a supporting construction on the lower part to support the base piece when the base piece and the base supporting piece are assembled.

In preference the supporting construction comprises at least three connected upstanding supporting walls, which allow for the vessel carrier to be sat down and sit upright when not being held.

In preference the supporting construction comprises at least two L-shaped brackets joined with an upstanding handle panel, the bottom edge surfaces of the handle panel flush with that of the L-shaped brackets.

In preference the supporting construction comprises at least two inter-crossing panels, an upstanding handle panel and a supporting panel and the bottom edge surfaces are flush with each other.

In preference the vessel number is two or four or eight.

In preference the diameters of the holes are smaller than the maximum diameters of vessels such that the vessels sit in the holes.

In preference the height of the base piece relative to the plane where the vessel carrier is sitting when it is assembled is taller than the height of the vessel protruding through the base.

In preference the vessel carrier is made from cardboard or a recycled fibre, metal, wood, plastic, or synthetic materials for a reuse.

It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vessel carrier embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of the base piece of the vessel carrier embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of the base piece of the vessel carrier embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the base supporting piece of the vessel carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the upstanding handle panel of the vessel carrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view of the supporting panel of the vessel carrier according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a schematic front view of the other supporting panel of the vessel carrier according to the second the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the vessel carrier with cups in it according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a vessel carrier according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a vessel carrier according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view of the base piece of the vessel carrier according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a schematic top view of the base piece of the vessel carrier according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a schematic perspective view of the base supporting piece of the vessel carrier according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a schematic front view of the upstanding handle panel of the vessel carrier according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a schematic perspective view of the upstanding handle panel of the vessel carrier according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a schematic front view of the upstanding handle panel of the vessel carrier according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the vessel carrier with cups in it according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of a vessel carrier according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a schematic perspective view of the vessel carrier with glasses in it according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the vessel carrier with glasses in it according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the vessel carrier with glasses in it according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

FIG. 1 defines the structure and function of a vessel carrier 10 embodying the present invention which comprises a base piece 20 and a base supporting piece 40. When the two pieces are assembled as shown in FIG. 1, they form a basket like carrier which is able to accommodate vessels, for example cups, glasses, drink bottles and so on. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the base piece 20 has four holes 22 for vessels to be placed in and a slot 24 into which the base supporting piece 40 can be inserted from the bottom up.

The number of holes 22 in the base pieces 20 is not limited and can preferably be two or four or eight, or even odd numbers. The diameters of the holes 22 are smaller than the maximum diameters of vessels such that the vessels can sit in holes 22 of the base piece 20.

The number or form of the vessels and the number or the shape of the holes should not limit the protection scope of the present invention. The base supporting piece 40 features a structural support system, and is stream lined and compactable in nature. FIGS. 3 and 9A clearly demonstrate the interlocking nature of the bottom of the base supporting piece 40 which is symmetrical in nature and allows for the base piece 20 to be supported when placed over the top handle of the base supporting piece 40.

Three or more upstanding walls can be connected to form the support system of the present invention. It should be noted that the specific configurations of the support system can be clearly illustrated by the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention which however does not limit its scope.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, there are four holes 22 in the base pieces 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the base supporting piece 40 has a top handle 422 on the upper part and a supporting construction on the lower part. Specifically, the supporting construction comprises one upstanding handle panel 42 on which the load bearing top handle 422 is located. It also has two auxiliary legs 44 which are L-shaped brackets jointed with the upstanding handle panel 42, which allows for the vessel carrier 10 to be sat down and sit upright when not being held. The edge surfaces 426 of the base supporting piece 40 are flush with the upper edge surfaces 444 of the auxiliary legs 44. These edge surfaces and the two edge surfaces 446 form the supporting surfaces in contact with the back surface of the base piece 20. It can be reasonably known that the connection between the upstanding handle panel 42 and the two auxiliary legs 44 are firmly joined together, such as by gluing.

In preference, the bottom edge surfaces 424 of the handle panel 42 is flush with the bottom edge surfaces 442 of the L-shaped brackets such that the vessel carrier 10 can be sat down steadily on the ground or a table or any loading plane when it is not held.

According the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10 comprises at least two inter-crossing panels. One is a handle panel 46 as shown in FIG. 4A whereas the other is a supporting panel 48 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, which act as the auxiliary legs of the first embodiment. There is a load bearing top handle 462 on the upper part of the base supporting piece 40.

Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, there is a locking slot 484 starting from the middle bottom of the supporting panel 48 ending at the halfway through, which size is just matched with a slot 466 in the handle panel 46. To configure the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10, the supporting panel 48 is inserted into the slot 466 of the handle panel 46 and pressed down, and then the two inter-crossing panels will form the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10.

In preference, the bottom edge surface 468 of the handle panel 46 is flush with the bottom edge surface 482 of the supporting panel 48 such that the vessel carrier 10 can be sat down steadily on the ground or a table or any loading plane when it is not held.

Once the vessel carrier 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is assembled, the cups are supported in the holes of the base piece 20 as shown in FIG. 5.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the height of the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10 is taller than the cup protruding through the base as shown in FIG. 6. Once the vessel carrier 10 is assembled, the height of the base piece 20 relative to the plane where the vessel carrier is sitting is taller than the height of the cup. Hence, goblets are supported by the vessel carrier 10 without the legs in contact with the ground when is not held which therefore prevents any liquid spilling.

The fourth, fifth and sixth embodiment of the present invention which are structurally like the first, second and third embodiment but with eight holes in the base piece 20 will be now described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a vessel carrier 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A base piece 20 and a base supporting piece 40 are detachably assembled which is able to accommodate vessels, for example cups, glasses, drink bottles and so on.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the base piece 20 has eight holes 22 for vessels to be placed into and a slot 24 into which the base supporting piece 40 can be inserted from the bottom up.

FIG. 9A is a schematic perspective view of the base supporting piece 40 of the vessel carrier 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a schematic front view of the upstanding handle panel 42 of the base supporting piece 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The base supporting piece 40 has a load bearing top handle 422 on the upper part and a supporting construction which also include two auxiliary legs 44 which are L-shaped brackets on the lower part as shown in FIG. 9A. The supporting construction allows the vessel carrier 10 to be sat down and sat upright when not being held. The edge surfaces 426 of the base supporting piece 40 are flush with the upper edge surfaces 444 of the auxiliary legs 44. These edge surfaces and the two edge surfaces 446 form the supporting surface in contact with the back surface of the base piece 20. The upstanding handle panel 42 and the two auxiliary legs 44 are joined together.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10 comprises at least two inter-crossing panels. An upstanding handle panel 46 of the vessel carrier 10 are shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. A supporting panel which is not shown acts as the auxiliary legs of the first and the fourth embodiment. When the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10 are assembled, the supporting panel 48 is inserted into the slot 466 of the handle panel 46 and pressed down, then the inter-crossing panels will form the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10.

In preference, the bottom edge surface 468 of the handle panel 46 is flush with the bottom edge surface 482 of the supporting panel 48 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C such that the vessel carrier 10 can be sat down steadily on the ground or a table or any loading planes when it is not held.

It should be noted that the supporting panel 48 in the second embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C can also be used for the fifth embodiment if the sizes of the slots 466 of the handle panel 46 in the second embodiment and the fifth embodiment are the same.

Once the vessel carrier 10 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is assembled, the cups are sitting in the holes of the base piece 20 as shown in FIG. 11.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the height of the supporting construction of the vessel carrier 10 is raised up to that greater than the height of the cup stand as shown in FIG. 12. Once the vessel carrier 10 is assembled, the height of the base piece 20 relative to the plane where the vessel carrier is sitting is larger than the height of the cup stand so that the bottom of the cup as shown in FIG. 12B does not touch a surface. Hence, goblets are supported by the vessel carrier 10 without the bottom being in contact with the ground when is not held which therefore prevents any liquid spilling.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14, in accordance with the seventh and eighth embodiments of the present invention, there are several slits 26 located along the two outer edges of the base piece 20 allowing sideways entry into the holes 22 that allow the stems of goblets being slid into the hole. The number of the slits preferably corresponds to the number of the holes 22 whereof.

From an implementation perspective, a vessel carrier 10 in accordance with the present invention will include a rectangular slate which corresponds to the base piece 20, in which several, preferably four or eight holes are located. In some embodiments the configuration of the slate is not rectangular but round or any other symmetrical shape which does not limit the scope of the present invention. The holes in the slate are placed an even space apart, typically with the same diameter based on a prototype with a diameter of 7.1 cm per hole. However different diameter holes may be present.

Typically, the carrier is 38 cm long, 23.7 cm wide and is 23.5 cm high, with a nook 1.3 cm high carved out to facilitate an easy grip for the user. These are typical dimensions only and can be varied. To prevent the design from collapsing there is at least two interlocking elements at the base which corresponds to the base supporting piece 40, which span the same width and length as the base piece 20 however sitting exactly in the middle of the base piece 20 acting as a load bearing support when cups are added. It features a load bearing top handle placed in the middle of the barrier, and two inter-crossing panels underneath or other supporting construction allowing for the carrier to be sat down and sit upright when not being held. Not only this, but it will be able to accommodate a wide range of vessels of all different sizes, given the unique diameter of the holes cut. The present invention is used by placing the cups with drinks in the holes, and then transporting it using the top handle, which provides enough structural integrity that makes it unlikely for drinks to move or spill during the transit process and can bear the weight of up to several litres of liquid.

The vessel carrier 10 of the present invention is preferably made from cardboard or a recycled fiber, but other materials can be used such as metal, wood, plastic, and synthetic materials for reuse of the product by individuals. However, as it can also be constructed for single use, recyclable or biodegradable materials may be used to fulfil the design.

The present invention has been created to provide an improved solution to carry a substantial number of beverages at one point and there is no need to use two hands to transport beverages. Further, the intention of the present invention is to be mass produced, being cheap, easy to assemble, and effective in the transport of beverages for cafes, fast food outlets, and businesses who offer takeaway services. Not only does this solve the problem of fulfilling large orders, delivery or pickup, but allows for consumer ease in purchasing and subsequently transporting many vessels. Furthermore, delivery drivers for a variety of services will be equipped to transport drinks and food, at the same time, rather than using the current arbitrary system of placing drinks in cup holders, then in bags, which is not only inconvenient but resource intensive. The cost of providing such a solution will also be relatively low and on par with production costs of other carriers and trays still on the market and may be constructed from a wide range materials including recycled, natural, and reusable.

Whilst the above description discusses panels that are orthogonal to each other, they may very well be at different angles if the carrier for example is a round shape with 6 cups or so circumferentially located around the central axis.

The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a cup number unlimited and low-cost vessel carrier.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

The drawings include the following integers.

-   10 vessel carrier -   20 base piece -   22 holes -   24 slot -   26 slit -   40 base supporting piece -   42 handle panel -   422, 462 load bearing top handle -   424 bottom edge surfaces -   426 edge surfaces -   44 auxiliary legs -   442 bottom edge surfaces -   444 upper edge surfaces -   46 handle panel -   466 slot -   468 bottom edge surface -   48 supporting panel -   482 bottom edge surface -   484 locking slit

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. 

1. A vessel carrier comprising: a base piece, having at least two holes for vessels to be placed in and a slot into which a base supporting piece is inserted; the base supporting piece having a load bearing top handle on the upper part and a supporting construction on the lower part to support the base piece when the base piece and the base supporting piece are assembled.
 2. The vessel carrier of claim 1, wherein the supporting construction comprises: at least three connected upstanding supporting walls, which allow for the vessel carrier to be sat down and sit upright when not being held.
 3. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 wherein the supporting construction comprises at least two L-shaped brackets joined with an upstanding handle panel, the bottom edge surfaces of the handle panel flush with that of the L-shaped brackets.
 4. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 wherein the supporting construction comprising at least two inter-crossing panels, an upstanding handle panel and a supporting panel; the bottom edge surfaces of flush with each other.
 5. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 wherein the vessel number is two or four or eight.
 6. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 wherein the diameters of the holes are smaller than the maximum diameters of vessels such that the vessels sit in the holes.
 7. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 wherein the height of the base piece relative to the plane where the vessel carrier is sitting when it is assembled is taller than the height of the vessel protruding through the base piece.
 8. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 wherein the vessel is goblet, and several slits are positioned along the outer edges of the base piece enabling sideways entry into the holes that allow the stem of goblet to pass therethrough.
 9. The vessel carrier as in claim 1 made from cardboard or a recycled fibre, metal, wood, plastic, or synthetic materials for a reuse. 